Hartline: Bulls Focus on Concepts, Trenches as Camp Continues

As USF moves deeper into fall camp, the focus is beginning to shift from installing its system to making sure players can play fast within it.

Head coach Brian Hartline said the Bulls have intentionally taken an aggressive approach to installation throughout the winter, spring and summer. Rather than slowing down the amount of information being given to players, the staff wanted them to learn the concepts and responsibilities that make the system work.

"Conceptually we got a lot in but they'll get really used to how we're gonna run that concept," Hartline said.

That approach is designed to give players more than an understanding of individual plays. Hartline wants them to recognize what is happening on the field and understand how to respond when something changes.

"We're trying to teach concepts trying to teach responsibilities," Hartline said. "Not just run plays."

That becomes particularly important in areas such as protection adjustments, line calls and combination calls, where players have to recognize what is happening and react rather than simply execute a predetermined assignment.

Hartline said the aggressive installation process has put USF in a comfortable position as the Bulls move forward.

"I'm glad we did that and now we're sitting in a more comfortable spot as we start to prepare back a little bit," Hartline said.

Preparing for FIU

With the season opener against FIU approaching, USF has also begun turning its attention toward its first opponent.

The Bulls have already started working to identify FIU's tendencies and what the Panthers may try to do offensively and defensively. Hartline said, however, that preparation can only take a team so far.

"Yeah, I think we have our ways of finding out information, trying to figure out what they're running and what their identity is," Hartline said. "But you'll find out a lot more on game day."

Once the game begins, the ability to adjust will become just as important as the preparation that comes before kickoff.

"Your ability to adjust will be a big part of the opportunity to come out victorious," Hartline said.

Hartline: Championships Are Won in the Trenches

For Hartline, one of the biggest keys to building a championship team remains the play in the trenches.

Asked about the importance of the defensive line, Hartline did not hesitate.

"You win championships in the trenches. That's a fact," Hartline said.

Talent at the quarterback, receiver and other skill positions can make a team dangerous, but Hartline believes championship football ultimately comes down to how a team plays up front.

"So there's been a lot of great, you know quarterbacks and receivers and all that never won a championship," Hartline said. "So it's not about talent, but the way you play the game and you can find that in the trenches."

That belief has shaped the importance placed on USF's players and coaches along the defensive front. Hartline said he remains confident in both the personnel and the coaches responsible for developing those groups.

"We're well aware that, you know, championships are one and loss in the trenches. So were very confident about our guys and the coaches we have in those positions," Hartline said.

Asani Redwood Finding His Way

For USF defensive tackle Asani Redwood, his path to the football field was anything but traditional.

Born in Jamaica, Redwood grew up playing soccer before eventually moving to Georgia to join his father during his sophomore year of high school. Football was not initially part of his plan. He also tried wrestling before a history teacher who coached the school's online team encouraged him to give football a chance.

Redwood's first opportunity came on the defensive line.

"They put me on D-line first day, first couple days are rough," Redwood said.

The rough beginning did not last. Redwood stayed with it, continued working at the position and gradually found his footing.

"From there just got fine. I kept trying to get better every day and we're here now," he said.

Now, Redwood is playing in a defensive system that fits the way he wants to play.

Redwood Embraces Aldridge's Defensive Philosophy

One of the reasons Redwood wanted to play for defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge was the freedom Aldridge gives his defensive linemen to make plays.

For defensive linemen, opportunities to win a one-on-one matchup can be limited. When those opportunities come, Redwood believes they have to be maximized.

"Let's say you only get so many one-on-ones a game," Redwood said. "So every time you get it you got to maximize the opportunity."

That mentality fits with what Aldridge expects from the defensive line. Redwood said the group is not simply being asked to occupy blockers and create opportunities for the linebackers behind them.

"He wants your D-line to eat," Redwood said.

For Redwood, that philosophy was part of the appeal of playing for Aldridge.

"He wants to be one up front to make plays," Redwood said. "So I'm really happy about that."

Building Toward the Season

With the Bulls continuing through camp, Hartline believes the heavy installation work from the offseason is beginning to pay off.

USF has not tried to make the system smaller for its players. Instead, the staff has challenged them to absorb as much as possible and trust that their preparation will allow them to handle it.

"I'm glad that we decided to not go slow," Hartline said. "I'm glad that we went, you know, all in and push the amount for these guys to learn."

Hartline's expectation is that young players are capable of handling that responsibility when they commit themselves to learning.

"My philosophy is they're 18-to-22-year-olds. If they want to learn it, they're gonna learn it," Hartline said.

Now the Bulls enter the next stage of camp with the installation largely in place and the focus turning toward execution, adjustments and preparing for FIU.